[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 176 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54888-54890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22611]



[[Page 54887]]

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Part II





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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14 CFR Part 39



Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 206A, B, 
L, L1, and L3 Helicopters; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 176 / Monday, September 11, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-34-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
206A, B, L, L1, and L3 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 206A, B, 
L, L1, and L3 helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting the 
collective lever assembly (assembly) for a raised forging boss, 
inspecting the assembly for adequate clearance between the collective 
lever and the swashplate outer ring (outer ring), and modifying any 
assembly with a raised forging boss and inadequate clearance before 
further flight. Modifying any assembly that has a raised forging boss 
and adequate clearance would be required before further flight after 
January 31, 2001. This proposal is prompted by the discovery that a 
raised forging boss could result in control system interference. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
interference between the collective lever and the outer ring, damage to 
flight controls, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: The FAA must receive any comments on this proposal by November 
13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Docket No. 2000-SW-34-AD in one of the 
following ways:
     Mail comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-34-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send a request for a copy of 
the AD or regulatory evaluation to that address. If you want us to 
acknowledge receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the Docket Number is written. We 
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
     E-mail comments to [email protected].
    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information) at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137 between 9 
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments. Submit your comments as specified under the ``ADDRESSES'' 
caption. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it. We will file a report in the AD Docket 
that summarizes each FAA contact with the public that is related to the 
substantive part of this rule.
    The FAA will consider using the plain language format of this 
document, when appropriate, for future rulemaking actions. The FAA is 
especially interested in receiving comments on the proposed layout, 
appearance, and chart-type format used to publish the actions proposed 
by this NPRM. This format was developed in consultation with the Office 
of the Federal Register.
    We will consider all comments received by the closing date. The 
proposals or format contained in this document may be changed because 
of the comments received.

Availability of NPRM's

    You may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2000-SW-34-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, 
notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on BHTC Model 206A, B, 
L, L1, and L3 helicopters. Transport Canada advises that a raised 
forging boss on the collective lever assemblies could result in control 
system interference.
    BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin No's. 206L-00-116, dated 
March 10, 2000, and 206-00-93, Revision A, dated May 10, 2000. These 
service bulletins specify examining the assembly, part number (P/N) 
206-010-467-001, and modifying any assembly with a raised forging boss 
if the clearance between the assembly and the swashplate outer ring is 
0.060 inch (1.52mm) or less. The service bulletins also specify 
modifying, regardless of clearance, the assembly at the next removal of 
the assembly but no later than January 31, 2001. Transport Canada 
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-
2000-13, dated May 23, 2000, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these helicopters in Canada.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in Canada and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions 14 
CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. 
Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada 
has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has 
examined the findings of Transport Canada, reviewed all available 
information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of 
these type designs that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on other BHTC Model 206A, B, L, L1, and L3 helicopters of these 
same type designs registered in the United States. The proposed AD 
would require, for each assembly, P/N 206-010-467-001:
     Within 30 days, inspecting for a raised forging boss and 
for adequate clearance;
     Before further flight, modifying any collective lever if 
the clearance is 0.060 inch (1.52mm) or less between the assembly and 
the outer ring; and
     Before further flight after January 31, 2001, modifying 
any assembly that has a forging boss and adequate clearance. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletins described previously.

Regulatory Impact

    We estimate that 6,000 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD and that it would take approximately 0.5 
work hour per helicopter to inspect and 2 hours to modify the assembly. 
The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $900,000. The regulations proposed herein would not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national Government and the States, or

[[Page 54889]]

on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal 
would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. You can get a copy of 
the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action from the Rules 
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at 
the mailing address listed under the caption ``ADDRESSES.'' Your 
request must reference ``AD Docket No. 2000-SW-34-AD.''

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
                        Docket No. 2000-SW-34-AD
                     Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
      Subject: Inspecting and Modifying Collective Lever Assemblies
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(a) Comment Due Date          FAA must receive comments by November 13,
                               2000.
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(b) Affected Documents        None.
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(c) Applicability             Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model: 206A
                               (serial numbers (S/N) 004 through 660 and
                               672 through 715); 206B (S/N 661 through
                               671, 716 through 4529, and 5101 through
                               5267); 206L (S/N 45004 through 45153, and
                               46601 through 46617); 206L1 (S/N 45154
                               through 45790); and 206L3 (S/N 51001
                               through 51612) helicopters, with a
                               collective lever assembly (assembly),
                               part number (P/N) 206-010-467-001,
                               installed, certificated in any category.
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(d) Unsafe Condition          A raised forging boss could interfere with
                               the control system. That could damage
                               flight controls and cause loss of control
                               of the helicopter.
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(e) Compliance                Unless previously accomplished, inspect
                               each assembly within 30 days. Modify any
                               assembly that has a raised forging boss.
                               Modify the assembly before further flight
                               if the clearance is 0.060 inch (1.52mm)
                               or less or before further flight after
                               January 31, 2001 if the clearance is
                               greater than 0.060 inch (1.52mm).
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(f) Required Actions          (1) Within 30 days:
                              (i) Inspect each assembly for a raised
                               forging boss in accordance with the
                               Accomplishment Instructions, Part I,
                               paragraphs 1.a., of Bell Helicopter
                               Textron Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 206L-
                               00-116, dated March 10, 2000 (ASB 206L),
                               or 206-00-93, Revision A, dated May 10,
                               2000 (ASB 206), as applicable, and
                              (ii) If the assembly has a raised forging
                               boss, inspect for clearance in accordance
                               with the Accomplishment Instructions,
                               Part I, paragraphs 2.a. through f., of
                               ASB 206L or ASB 206, as applicable.
                              (2) Modify each assembly in accordance
                               with the Accomplishment Instructions,
                               Part II, paragraphs 1 through 10, of ASB
                               206L or ASB 206, as applicable, as
                               follows:
                              (i) If the clearance is 0.060 inch
                               (1.52mm) or less at one of the outer ring
                               horns, before further flight.
                              (ii) If the clearance is greater than
                               0.060 inch (1.52mm) at one of the outer
                               ring horns, before further flight after
                               January 31, 2001.
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(g) Other Provisions          (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
                               (AMOC):
                              (i) You may use an AMOC or adjust the time
                               you take to meet the requirements of this
                               AD if your alternative provides an
                               acceptable level of safety and if the
                               Manager, Regulations Group, approves your
                               alternative.
                              (ii) Submit your request for approval
                               through an FAA Principal Maintenance
                               Inspector, who may add comments and then
                               send it to the Manager, Regulations
                               Group.
                              (iii) You can get information about the
                               existence of already approved AMOC's by
                               contacting the FAA, Rotorcraft
                               Directorate, Regulations Group, 2601
                               Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
                              (2) Modifications, Alterations, or
                               Repairs:
                              This AD applies to each helicopter
                               identified in the applicability
                               paragraph, even if it has been modified,
                               altered, or repaired in the area subject
                               to this AD. If that change in any way
                               affects accomplishing the required
                               actions, you must request FAA approval
                               for an AMOC. Your request should assess
                               the effect of the change on the unsafe
                               condition addressed by this AD.
                              (3) Special Flight Permits:
                              The FAA may issue you a special flight
                               permit under 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to
                               operate your helicopter to a location
                               where you can comply with this AD.
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(h) Material Incorporated by  Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service
 Reference                     Bulletin Nos. 206L-00-116, dated March
                               10, 2000, and 206-00-93, Revision A,
                               dated May 10, 2000. Approval of
                               incorporation by reference from the
                               Office of the Federal Register is
                               pending.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Related Information       Transport Canada AD No. CF-2000-13, dated
                               May 23, 2000.
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    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on August 10, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-22611 Filed 9-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-S